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Rick Parry has written to every EFL club insisting they are determined to finish the season.

EFL chairman Parry said they are in talks with the Government about how to play out the remaining fixtures but says they want to do it behind-closed-doors in their own stadiums.

Parry stressed it is “simply not an option” to proceed if staging games has any impact on emergency services or tests but revealed they are trying to utilise St Johns Ambulance crews to oversee games.

It comes after doubts were expressed at this week’s EFL board meeting but Parry’s letter is clearly designed to try pull all the clubs together to help complete the fixture list.

Leeds are top of the Championship (Image: PA)

Parry said: “Whilst there is still no further clarity on a return of EFL matches, the objective remains to play the remaining fixtures for the 2019-20 campaign at the current 71 EFL grounds.

“It is important that any clubs notify the EFL of any issues that may prevent this as soon as possible.

“Some progress has been made in respect of planning how matches may take place, with draft operational plans put before the board at this week's meeting and incorporating many areas such as: stadium preparation, medical provisions, staffing, media access and, of course, measures needed to ensure the safety of all participants including first-team players and staff, match officials, and everyone else associated with the matchday environment.”

Ricky Parry has written to Football League clubs (Image: PA)

The EFL are already committed to showing every game live on TV but a big complication will be the ethics and practicality of widespread testing of players throughout the return at the potential expense of front line workers.

But Parry, who also said the transfer window could remain open as a “one-off”, added: “Whatever the outcome, we are confident that, at this time, access will not be an issue and the acquisition of supplies will not be at the expense of the country's frontline staff. That simply is not an option for the EFL to consider.

“The St John Ambulance service has indicated it would be in a position to work with club medical teams to provide medical cover on matchdays, therefore once again alleviating the concern of increased burden on clubs and frontline services, while the Sports Ground Safety Authority has confirmed that it will assist clubs and local authorities with guidance around the general requirements contained within the Safety Certificate that remain in place and how these may be managed for fixtures behind closed doors.”